Westside Digest

Santa Monica

An 18-year-old Los Angeles man has been convicted in Santa Monica Superior Court of raping a young woman in her West Hollywood apartment two years ago.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Alexis de la Garza said that Zarek Walden, who was tried as an adult, was also found guilty of repeatedly stabbing the woman with scissors and beating her in the head with a hammer. The victim survived and testified at Walden's trail.

Walden faces up to 79 years in prison. Sentencing is set for July 5 in the courtroom of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Lopez.